Sambuddha Jayanthi:

Lanka hosts Buddhist confab on March 20-21

Disna MUDALIGE

[ Conference]

* Six Lankans to address conference

* Six from India

* Others from Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal

Sri Lanka will host an International Buddhist Conference to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi from March 20 to 21 at the International Buddhist Academy in Pallekele. The Indian Government has agreed to sponsor the event.

This conference is an outcome of bilateral talks between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian leaders during a visit to New Delhi last year. This conference is a part of a series of joint celebrations by Sri Lanka and India to mark the 2600th anniversary of the attainment of Enlightenment of the Buddha.

The theme of the two day conference will aim at relations between India and Sri Lanka under a common heritage of Buddhism which nurtured the literature, art, philosophy and culture of both countries.

Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Cashian Herath noted that 18 eminent scholars will address the conference during four successive academic sessions. They will also present individual papers. The Ministry has nominated six scholars from Sri Lanka while the Indian government has nominated another six. The rest of the scholars are invited from Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal. A commemorative volume will also be published including the presentations of the scholars.

The President will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and about 550 invitees will participate including the Indian High Commissioner. Indian Deputy High Commissioner Vikram Misri said that setting up of an International Buddhist Museum in Kandy and the erection of a 16 feet tall Buddha statue at the entrance of it will also be commissioned parallel to this occasion. A Buddhist photographic exhibition is also planned.

The Ministry Secretary also noted that selected 2,600 Dhamma schools will be developed hand in hand with the anniversary. Attention is also given to grant teaching appointments to those who have passed the Dharmacharya examination as Buddhism teachers in Government schools. Extra marks will be added to the Dharmacharya certificate holders at the University entrance in the near future, he added.